Dear Ones,

I hope you are staying warm despite the chill of an overcast sky and colder weather.

For me, our ability to still be community together is what brings warmth to my heart.   Here are our community updates for the upcoming week:

Mid-Day Prayer: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I will offer mid-day prayer via Zoom.  It will last from 12 – 12:30 p.m.  Everyone is invited.  Please let me know if you would like to participate so that I can get you a prayer book (Daily Prayer for All Seasons, published by the Office of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church).  It starts tomorrow, March 26th!

Weekly Lectio Divina:  Each Monday, Mary Ann Blank will send out a weekly Lectio Divina to the church.  It will include a Scripture passage and reflection questions.  Stay tuned for more details!

Prayer Partners:  A prayer partner would be someone with whom you touched base one a week via phone (or another medium, like Zoom, if you want).   You would share prayer requests, pray together and/or check-in with one another.  You can decide together what your time would look like.  It is a great way to care one for another amidst our isolation.  If you would like a prayer partner, please let me know.

Easter Basket Fundraiser: We are selling gorgeous Easter baskets made by the Women in Ministry. $12.  Would you like one? If you buy one, we will make safe arrangements to get it to you.       

In-Person Church Cancelled for April: We will continue to worship online for the month of April.  Stay tuned for creative updates for our Holy Week celebration!  Please note that on April 5th, I will still be celebrating communion during the worship service.  You are invited to participate as you feel comfortable.

Worship: Email me at RevJPerkett@gmail.com for the Zoom access information.

I look forward to worshiping God with you on Sunday!  In the meantime, I walk by thousands of brazenly blooming daffodils here in Essex and I see: God is here, even here.  We have not been left alone.

Peace,

Pastor Joy Perkett